A DEVOTED husband died as he chased children playing a nuisance " bang and run" game at his home.

Retired lorry driver Elvet Williams, 76, was furious when three children knocked on his front door, and then ran away, for the second time in the evening.

Grandfather Elvet was trying to protect his wife, who is recovering from a mild heart attack. He chased them down his village street - but collapsed and died just yards from his front door as his wife Doreen watched.

Police were yesterday investigating the tragedy - and warned of the dangers of youngsters playing the annoying game known locally as "rat-tat ginger" or "knock- down ginger."

Widow Doreen was yesterday comforted by family members but was described as "grief-stricken".

Police want to trace children who played the door-knocking game near his house in Llanharry, near Cardiff.

Neighbours say a group of three children aged about 11 or 12 had been taunting the Williamses and other neighbours.

It was the second time that night that children had banged on his door.

His wife called him back when he was running after them.

Doreen said, "I tried to get him back. Now he's gone."

Villagers told yesterday how unruly children have been plaguing neighbours with the door-knocking game.

Neighbour Pauline Reed, 52, was driving home when she saw Mr Williams collapse on his lawn after chasing the children.

She said, "His wife Doreen was screaming for help.

"His wife has just suffered a slight heart attack and Elvet would have done anything to protect her.

"He was a lovely man who doted on his family and was trying to save his wife from the grief of these young yobbos banging on their front door night after night."

Villagers heard the commotion as dozens watched in horror while Elvet died in front of their eyes.

Mrs Reed said, "Some of the local kids were standing around saying, 'We didn't do it, we didn't do it. It wasn't us'.

"We have terrible trouble with kids playing these games around here. They bang on the doors and run away all the time.

"It seems the more you shout at them, the more they come back."

Hospital worker Mrs Reed has been trained in resuscitation and gave aid as they waited for an ambulance.